this is bbc news, i'm lukwesa burak. our top stories... authorities in berlin declare france a high risk area for coronavirus, requiring all travellers to be tested and quarantined upon arrival in germany. scotland's former first minister alex salmond launches a new pro—independence party to contest the holyrood elections in may. we attempt to contribute policy idea to assist scotland's economic recovery and help build an independence platform to face new political realities. borisjohnson says he'll stand firmly by british citizens, who've had sanctions imposed on them by china, which accuses them of spreading lies about abuses of uighur muslims.

and, ballet in the park — dancers in new york have found a place to perform in the pandemic to the delight of passers—by. hello and welcome to our viewers in the uk and around the world. germany has imposed travel restrictions on france, declaring the country a "high risk" area for coronavirus infections. people arriving in germany from france will now need to show a negative covid test and go into quarantine. the country will deploy an extra 90,000 police officers at railway stations, airports, and toll booths on motorways,

to prevent people moving between areas without permission. as france deals with a surge of cases, its foreign minister accuses the uk of "blackmail", over its handling of coronavirus vaccine exports. france has called for the eu to implement tougher export controls whilst its own roll—out has struggled. in the uk, the latest figures show that there were 70 deaths of people within 28 days of a positive test and 6,187 infections reported in the last 2a hours. the number of uk cases is an increase of more than a thousand, compared to a week ago, as coronavirus infections level off in england, wales and northern ireland, and rise slightly in scotland. in germany, the robert koch institute has warned that the country could see 100,000 infections a day, if the third wave of coronavirus spreads unchecked,

with fears that this could be the worst wave so far. 0ur berlin correspondent, damien mcguinness, is following developments. i think it's a controversial step, really, because obviously, there is so much traffic, commuters, family across—the—board everyday between france and germany. now, germany has already imposed border restrictions and border controls on some of its borders, so we have already had border controls on parts of austria, the czech republic, slovakia. those regions have now been classed officially as high—risk regions as well, so that means they are going to be the same rule you just mention for fans which is you have ——the same rule you just mention for france, which is you have to have a recent test before you cross into the country, but now, that will be the case for france. this is something that has been a political debate here for a while now, and there has been pressure growing on the government deciding

what to do on that border, because as the numbers have gone up in france, more and more people along the region, in the region along the border, have been worried that those infections are going to come over into germany. and now indeed the authorities have taken that step, and that's really because of the numbers. even though the numbers are growing up in germany, they are not going up as severely as in france. in germany, we havejust over 100 new infections per 100,000 people in the population over a seven—day period. that number is more like 300 in france. so, for now what that is there are going to be spot checks along the border. no plans as of yet for a checkpoint, but it will certainly impede travel, it will impede commuters. it could even impede trade. a big step, a big hit economically for these regions, but according to the authorities here in germany, it is necessary, really, to stop those high infections spreading into germany from france. damien mcginnis there in berlin. while germany is trying to keep out new cases, there is already a rise in cases within the country and more younger people are ending up in hospital.

german icu doctor kai zacharowski has been describing the situation in his frankfurt hospital. the situation is getting worse. at the moment, the third wave definitely has arrived. what we see is now that the age of patients is younger than before. so, we have patients which are in the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. patients have a longer length of stay in the intensive care unit. so, now, we have patients on average staying for 16 days and the mortality rate in comparison to the first and second wave has at the moment, we are still coping very well in germany because, as you know, we have the highest number of intensive care beds per 100,000. however, with the increasing numbers now in germany and today again, 22,000 new infections and an incidence rate of almost 120 on average in germany, it is only a matter of time that the beds, which are occupied

with these very sick patients, will be short at some stage stop that is the reason why we have to take measures now to really reduce this infection rate. everyone is tired of these restrictions. spring is coming, the question is, i think, restrictions. spring is coming, the question is, ithink, it restrictions. spring is coming, the question is, i think, it probably would be better to test people and to really make sure that if they have a negative test results, to have a negative test results, to have free powers. in fact, yes, it would help to have borders closed, everything closed, but we are human beings, we need also to have freedom. the world health organization is once again appealing to countries to donate their covid vaccines to poorer nations. it says covax, the global vaccine—sharing scheme,

needs ten million doses urgently, so every country can start innoculating, within the first 100 days of the year. covax aims to ensure 92 of the poorest countries in the world can access vaccines, with costs covered by donors. covax needs ten million doses immediately as an urgent stock up measure, so these 20 countries can start vaccinating their health workers and older people within the next two weeks. so, today, i'm asking countries with doses of vaccines that have who emergency use listing to donate as many doses as they can to help us meet that target. that was the head of the who. scotland's former first minister, alex salmond, has announced he is setting up a new pro—independence — political party to run in the scottish parliament elections in may.

the surprise announcement, comes after a very public falling out with his former protege and successor, nicola sturgeon, over her government's handling of complaints of sexual harrassment against him. the snp reacted to the news saying the interests of the country should not be obscured, by what it called, alex salmond's self interest, and questioned whether it was appropriate for him to return to public office. here's our scotland editor, sarah smith. today i'm announcing the public launch of new political force, the alba party. it's another comeback from alex salmond, this time as leader of a brand—new political party. ..seeking to build a super majority for independence in the scottish parliament. over the next six weeks we will promote new ideas about taking scotland forward, giving primacy to economic recovery from the pandemic and the achievement of independence for our country.

despite the bitter personal feud between alex salmond and nicola sturgeon, he claims his new party is not out to steal snp votes. he won't run candidates in constituencies. under the proportional representation voting system, msps are also elected from regional lists, and that's where alba candidates will be standing. the only people who benefit from i the creation of alex salmond's party are those who oppose independence. but we will double down, work hard, not take any votes for granted - and urge people to cast both votes for the snp — not everyone who supports independents support the snp. they do all want to elect as many pro—independence msps as possible, to pressure westminster into allowing another referendum. alex salmond's new party will split this vote, and his rivals think alba is driven more by his ego than by electoral strategy. this is the very public meltdown of a thoroughly disgraced individual. this is a man from scotland's past who is obsessively pursuing personal vendettas. he doesn't have anything

positive to offer. alex salmond is less popular in scotland than borisjohnson. today's launch, plagued with technical problems, was not the slick operation alex salmond was used to in the snp. almost exactly a year ago he was acquitted of 13 charges of sexual assault, although he did admit inappropriate behaviour with female staff when he was first minister. he has since accused people at the top of the snp of conducting a malicious plot to destroy him. now alex salmond has created a new platform from which to pursue his own agenda. 0ur scotland editor, sarah smith with that report. let's look at some of the day's other news a major report into the rwandan genocide has said france bore overwhelming responsibilities in relation to the killing of 800,000 people in 1994. the report by french historians though cleared france of being complicit in the killings — but said it had been blind to the preparation of the massacres. turkey's president says

the country's withdrawal from a european treaty, designed to hinder violence against women is "a done deal". thousands of women have been staging protests calling on the government to revoke the decree. last week, mr erdogan abruptly pulled turkey out of the istanbul convention, which pledges to prevent and prosecute domestic violence, as well as promote equality. china has imposed sanctions on nine uk citizens including mps, peers, a lawyer and an academic who have all criticised china's treatment of its uighur minority population. the foreign secretary, dominic raab, said the move wouldn't stop him and others speaking up against what he called, "industrial scale human rights abuses". there are about 12 million uighur in china — predominately muslims. china is accused of detaining up to a million of themin so called "re—education" camps in the province of xinjiang in the north

west of the country. authorities in beijing have dismissed claims of abuse, as a plot by britain and the us, to destablise the chinese economy. here's our diplomatic correpsondent, james landale. this is the image china wants you to have of xinjiang. a mountainous paradise where everyone can live out their lives in liberty and prosperity. people from various ethnic groups live in concord, work in solidarity and develop in harmony, bending together closely like the seeds of a pomegranate. but if you try to get past the propaganda videos, as the bbc�*s done in the past, there's a different perspective not everyone wants you to see. and that's one where allegations of human rights abuses against the uighurs are rife.

of arbitrary detention, forced labour and sterilisation. so strong are these allegations that britain and allies announced sanctions on four top chinese officials responsible for camps like these. today, beijing retaliated, imposing travel bans and asset freezes on british citizens and organisations it accused of spreading lies. for some time, certain forces, bent on containment of china, have fabricated a large amount of lies of the century about xinjiang. the sanctions were aimed at five conservative mps including the former party leader, sir iain duncan smith, all of them vocal critics of china's government. as well as two peers, a lawyer and an academic and a handful of campaign groups. few of those sanctioned appeared dismayed. speaking for the nine individuals who have been sanctioned, it's only going to re—fortify our efforts to call out china for the industrial scale human rights abuses going on in xinjiang,

in tibet and elsewhere within china. it's intimidation of members of parliament to try to put them under pressure not to talk about what's happening in xinjiang. and i think that's the big issue we need to deal with internationally. how democracies deal with political interference. china's acting ambassador was summoned to the foreign and development office to hear of britain's displeasure and determination. if the chinese government - want to continue with these blanket denials, that nothing wrong is taking place in xinjiang, i the obvious thing for them to do would be to allow access - to the united nations. diplomats here at the chinese embassy dismiss all these allegations. they talk of anti—china forces fabricating these accusations to try and constrain their country. but amid the claim and counterclaim, one thing is clear. the government's ambition of pursuing a more positive trade relationship with china is getting harder by the minute. the sanctions imposed by president xi were not unexpected, but they were unprecedented. the price paid for raising human

rights concerns with the world's growing military and economic power. james landale, bbc news. stay with us on bbc world news, still to come: as bangladesh marks 50 years since its independence — we look at the country's evolution in terms of development and democracy. i'm so proud of both of you. let there be no more wars or bloodshed between arabs and israelis. with great regret, the committee

have decided that south africa be excluded from the 1970 competition. chanting. streaking across the sky, _ the white—hot wreckage from mir drew gasps from onlookers on fiji. this is bbc world news, the latest headlines... germany declares france a high risk area for coronavirus — and tightens its border requiring all travellers to be tested and quarantined upon arrival. scotland's former first minister alex salmond launches a new pro—independence party to fight the elections in may. at least 32 people have been killed, and more than 160 injured in egypt,

in one of the worst train crashes there in recent memory. several carriages were derailed and overturned, when two passenger trains collided in the province of sohag. with more, here's david campanale. the aftermath of another deadly crash on egypt's railways. in this incident, when carriage was seen being violently thrown into the air in a cloud of dust after a speeding train rammed into it from behind. inside one of the overturned carriages, these harrowing scenes were filmed just moments after the crash. from within the chaos and the dust, cries for help or posted on social media. 0ne dust, cries for help or posted on social media. one woman said, "please, my son, help me." some people got out of the derailed

carriages relatively unharmed, but many others caught inside were badly injured and needing rescue. translation: we need an official to come and see what happened. i can't remove the people from underneath the trains. it's a shame, look at the children! we need a crane, but they said they can't, people are dead, we can't even save the ones that are alive. around the wreckage, people gathered next to the overturned carriages to see what could be done. dozens of ambulances came to the scene to take the injured away, and inside, rescuers were deployed to help reach those survivors still trapped. egypt's rail authorities say the crash occurred after unidentified passengers had activated emergency brakes. in one of the trains causing the one behind it to crash into it.

they tweeted that there would be serious consequences for anyone found responsible. this deadly coalition is the latest in a string of major accidents on egypt's railways. they have been blamed on failures in maintenance and infrastructure. david campanelli, bbc news. over the past five decades, bangladesh has transformed itself from being a country harf hit by fighting, devastating floods and cyclones — into one of the fastest growing economies in the world. but while the country celebrates 50 years of independence and the economy continues to grow, democracy is in decline. akbar hossain reports from dhaka. south china has benefited from bangladesh's growing economy. she moved to the city eight years ago living her village and family behind. translation: my family was in a bad condition.

that's why i came here and took a job. that's why i came here and took a “ob. ,, that's why i came here and took a 'ob_ ,, ., ., “ that's why i came here and took a “ob. ,, ., ., ~ ., , �*, job. she found work in bangladesh's number one — job. she found work in bangladesh's number one industry, _ job. she found work in bangladesh's number one industry, garment - number one industry, garment manufacturer, which accounts for 80% of the country's exports. translation: now i'm sending money to my village back home every month. my family works on land and cows, now we can cultivate crops in the land. her life has been _ cultivate crops in the land. her life has been transformed by the garment industry which has been one of the major capitalists for the country's development. —— catalysts. thank you —— was not expected to survive, let alone survive, but against all of the odds, the economy has grown. —— let alone thrive. now that it is becoming a developing country— now that it is becoming a developing country from a developing country itself _ country from a developing country itself means there is strength and capacity— itself means there is strength and capacity of the economy has improved. capacity of the economy has improved-— capacity of the economy has

imroved. ., _, ., , , improved. the leading economist says bangladesh's— improved. the leading economist says bangladesh's pioneering _ improved. the leading economist says bangladesh's pioneering micro-creditl bangladesh's pioneering micro—credit schemes have helped lift the poorest out of poverty. you know, in terms of reduction of child _ you know, in terms of reduction of child mortality, gender clarity in the primary level education, so these _ the primary level education, so these indicators have been really, you know. — these indicators have been really, you know, done very well in bangladesh, it has really outperformed other countries, actually — outperformed other countries, actuall . �* outperformed other countries, actuall. �* ., , actually. but while the economy has made steady — actually. but while the economy has made steady progress _ actually. but while the economy has made steady progress in _ actually. but while the economy has made steady progress in 50 - actually. but while the economy has made steady progress in 50 years i made steady progress in 50 years since independence, democracy has proved worrisome. they are marred by widespread allegations of vote—rigging and fraud. and people went missing as well. this persons brother was an opposition activist, he disappeared in the run—up to the election. she has not seen or heard anything from him since. translation: i came across many families who lost their relatives. after 50 years of

independence, there is no freedom in our country. the government wants to cling to the power at any cost. they have created a situation so that no one could speak against them. itrailiiiie one could speak against them. while many peeple — one could speak against them. while many peeple worry — one could speak against them. while many people worry about _ one could speak against them. while many people worry about democracy, what cannot be overlooked is the growing economy, like millions of bangladesh women, salt, is working hard to build better life. translation mike my future plan is to set up a cow farm and provide my daughter with education. i'm working in a garment factory but i daughter with education. i'm working in a garment factory— in a garment factory but i don't want my daughter _ in a garment factory but i don't want my daughter to _ in a garment factory but i don't want my daughter to do - in a garment factory but i don't want my daughter to do the - in a garment factory but i don't i want my daughter to do the same in a garment factory but i don't - want my daughter to do the same job like me. i will give her education so that she will be able to get a better job. that's all. working from home means different things to different people — perhaps nice weather means you could work from a nearby park. for ballet dancers in new york city — central park offers the perfect solution to still perfom while their studios are closed. the dancers say it brings them

a sense of community — while the passers—by are astonished and delighted, as tom brook discovered. music: jumpin' jumpin' by beyonce. at his home in new york, james stretches on sunday mornings, he is preparing for his weekly ritual during the pandemic, travelling to central park to dance safely outdoors with fellow dancers. dance in the age of covid brings great reward. what a wonderful way to express yourself in kind of like a constructive way that's good for you, mind, body and spirit. turn your shoulder... this central park ballet class with live music has attracted both professionals and some novices. some of these people, this is their hour out of their apartment. they've just been cooped up for a year, and theyjust plan their whole week to come out here. now with the sun out, it's beautiful. we were dancing in the blizzards, danced in really cold weather.

but we just piled through it. try a little turn! passersby are startled when they come across the ballet performance. we've never seen anybody doing ballet in a park before. - it's very enjoyable. i didn't expected something like that to happen. many of these dancers are extremely talented, but the aim of the class isn't necessarily to perfect their artistry. it's not about that today. it's about gathering together with community, someone leading us through exercises that we know and love, and just really having a good time. that's what it's about. historically, adversity often leads to great artistic expression, and such is the case with dancers here in new york during the pandemic. a new york city ballet let four of its performers dance—wear only they could in outdoor locations to great emotional effect, delivering an homage to the city.

i cannot wait to see what comes out of this time, you know? we are in the trenches right now, practising and refining and keeping up with our class so as the creative inspiration happens, as we come out of this isolation, the arts, it will bloom and change lives. the central park weekly ballet classes are one more example of new yorkers responding to challenges during the pandemic in the formal artistry that both participants and the public will enjoy. tom brook, bbc news, new york. and before we go tonight, the clocks in europe go forward this weekend. so that's a lot of work for this german clock collector. werner owns more than 365 clocks — and he'll be busy changing each clock himself.

you are watching bbc news. 20 more coming up shortly. —— plenty more. good evening. today brought some impressive skyscapes, and big clouds like this tend to bring heavy showers. and the showers today haven't only been heavy, they've been wintry in places because we've had a change to some rather cold conditions. this frontal system swept eastwards with outbreaks of rain behind it. you can see the cold air flowing down from the north—west. so, where we have further showers through the night, they will continue to be wintry. we could see up to five centimetres of snow over high ground in highland scotland, but for southern scotland, northern ireland, north west england, wales, the midlands, even the moors of the west country, we could see a centimetre or two of lying snow by the end of the night. temperatures in towns and cities close to freezing. out in the countryside, some spots will getjust below. so there could well be some icy stretches to start tomorrow morning.

but tomorrow should get off to quite a bright start with some spells of sunshine. however, it won't last. it'll cloud over from the west through the day. outbreaks of rain into northern ireland and western scotland. the odd spot into wales and the south west as well. but temperatures already showing signs of creeping upwards, so it is quite a short—lived cold spell. now, a windy spell awaits during saturday night, particularly across north—western areas. notice all white lines on the chart squeezing together, all the isobars. that shows that we'll have strong winds, gales in fact for parts of northern ireland and scotland for a time. some very heavy bursts of rain working through, and that rain is likely to get stuck across central parts of the uk during sunday. to the north, a mixture of sunny spells and showers. some of those will be wintry. to the south, the cloud should tend to break to give some spells of sunshine, and that will bring some warmth, with highs of 15—16 degrees. but the temperatures have further to rise. as we move out of sunday and into monday, this frontal system

will wriggle around across the north of the uk. that'll feed quite a lot of rain into parts of north west scotland. there could even be enough rain to give flooding here over the next couple of days. but to the south of our waving weatherfront, well, the air willjust turn warmer and warmer. so, have a look at some of the temperatures. across the northern half of the uk, you could see highs of 18—19 degrees, in leeds for example. we will have that rain further north and west, particularly for western scotland. but further south could see temperatures up to 22—23 degrees, unseasonably warm for the end of march.

this is bbc world news.

the headlines — authorities in berlin have declared the whole of france a high risk area for coronavirus infections. all travellers from france will have to present a negative test result and quarantine upon arrival in germany. the world health organization is once again appealing to countries to donate their covid vaccines to poorer nations. it says covax, the global vaccine—sharing scheme, needs 10 million doses urgently. in a phone call, us presidentjoe biden and british prime minister borisjohnson expressed concern over what they called china's retaliatory actions after nine uk citizens who campaigned against human rights abuses were sanctioned by beijing. at least 32 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a train crash in southern egypt. the country has suffered frequent rail accidents, due in part to poor maintenance and a lack of investment.